African Honeybees - The Solution to Human-Elephant Conflict

From a historic fable told by the Greeks (Pliny the Elder, in A.D. 77 to be exact) to the Disney movie Dumbo, the thought of an elephant cowering at the site of a mouse has captured our imagination at one point or another. It seems though it’s not mice elephants fear, but an even smaller creature – the honeybee.

Human-Elephant Conflict

Human-elephant conflict is well documented in Africa, particularly when it comes to elephants making their way on to farms and ravaging crops. Sometimes extreme measures are taken by farmers and community members, who will shoot or poison elephants to protect their crops.

Lucy King’s Research

In 2009 a pilot study was conducted by Lucy King and her research associates (King et al., 2009) in Laikipia, Kenya. Laikipia was experiencing high levels of elephant crop degradation, making it an ideal environment in which to study the effects of African honeybees, as a deterrent, on elephants. A 90 m fence of inter-connected hives was set up on two exposed sides of a two-acre farm. The results of the study showed that the bee fence contributed to an 86% reduction in successful farm raids and 150% fewer raiding elephants than a similar control farm (which didn’t have a bee fence). Lucy King’s doctoral research, was not only award winning, but it has been pivotal in the establishment of the Elephants and Bees Project. The project aims to expand the use of Beehive Fences across Africa as an elephant deterrent. To see a video segment on the project click here.

Simple, Inexpensive and Easy to Construct

Compared to electric fences, which are costly and difficult to source in rural corners of Africa, the beehive fences are inexpensive and simple in their design and construction. A beehive fence is made up of interlinked beehives (some are ‘dummy’ hives) and a piece of fencing wire that if disturbed causes the whole fence to shake, and a shaky fence means angry bees. King’s research also showed that even the sound of swarming bees is enough to send elephants running. It seems that an elephant’s good memory serves farmers well – “Elephants can identify bees by sound alone, indicating that they may associate the sound with a negative historic event” (Lucy King).

Honey, Honey, Honey

The beehive fences not only protect crops, grain stores, trees and water pipes, but they provide secondary benefits. Where there are bees, there’s honey. Communities can harvest the honey and wax products for sale or for their own use. A complementary study during Lucy’s research also showed that farms with a beehive fence had increased their crop yield by 15 – 30%. The bees are not only the protectors of crops, but the nurturers of them too.

The ELE Bee Fence Project, Victoria Falls

This year, the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon is supporting a similar project in Victoria Falls, with the help of Greenline Africa Trust. The human-elephant conflict in the area is an ongoing concern and elephants often make their way into the town. The project aims to erect a number beehive fences in Victoria Falls, especially between the Mkhosana Community Area and the Zambezi National Park. A percentage of the proceeds from this year’s marathon will go towards the ELE Bee Fence project. Runners can make additional contributions during sign up at the Kingdom Hotel on the 29th and 30th of June.

RECENT TESTIMONIALS

Our guide for the first part of the tour, Joseph Mutebi, was outstanding. In addition to being a very safe driver, he was very attentive to our needs and made us feel most welcome in Uganda from the first moment we stepped out of the airport arrivals hall. He has an exceptionally sharp eye for spotting birds (and other wildlife), and a keen ear for bird calls as well. He was very patient and proficient in helping us to locate and see what he had spotted, and he could identify the birds as quickly and accurately as the local guides (even with their specialized local knowledge). We had a nice birding rhythm and a great tour with Joseph, and we were very sorry when we had to say goodbye to him midway through our tour. We have travelled extensively in southern and eastern Africa, and we can honestly say that Joseph is one of the finest guides we have encountered.

Mr Lund

Mr Lund (Uganda – exceptionally sharp eye for spotting birds)

I’m just back from a great trip to Botswana. We had a wonderful time. The accommodations were first class, the transports were seamless, and we saw a lot of animals. Thank you for all your work putting the itinerary together and making the reservations.

Catherine

Catherine Griffith (Wonderfull Botswana trip)

We want to thank you for the wonderful itinerary that you developed for us last week in Botswana and Zimbabwe. We enjoyed each area and all that they had to offer. But, we had to admit that our favorite was Moremi Crossing. The people, food, accomodations and activities were delightful, personable and relaxing.

Again, many thanks for making our African experience so memorable.

Sincerely Ed and Elizabeth Griffith

Ed and Elizabeth Griffith (Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari)

Hi I just wanted to tell you that we stayed at your Serengeti Wilderness Camp, and it was just terrific. It was a great blend of simple and rustic, but still comfortable. Mostly, I wanted to compliment the staff. They were all very professional and saw to our every need. And highest marks must go to your amazing chef. I wish we could have stayed long enough to try every menu. If he opened a restaurant in Los Angeles, people would flock to it! So thank you so much! I have relatives planning to come to Tanzania in the fall- do you have your rates for that time set? It would be two couples in two separate tents.

Thanks so much! Joe Correll

Joe Correll (Terrific stay at Serengeti Wilderness Camp)

It was nothing short of amazing. There was sooooooo much about the trip and country that amazed us, we were totally impressed. The serengeti lived up to it’s reputation for viewing and the crater – “WOW”!! – at one stage I turned to Syd and said “I think this is what the garden of Eden was like” it is definately one thing that should go on everyone’s bucket list.

Lauraine Reese

Lauraine Reese (Serengeti Adventure)

Thank you for following up. We had a wonderful time on our safari! Our guide, John Lantara was excellent, the accommodations were great, and generally the food was quite good. They gave us far too much food, we were stuffed by the end. I’m surprised our flight from Serengeti could get off the ground 🙂

Best regards, Karyn

Karyn Mackie (Tanzania Safari)

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